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Abstract:
This videotape marks the centennial of the National Hansen's Disease Center. The Center began on November 30, 1894 at Indian Camp, an abandoned sugar plantation which became the state of Louisiana's leper home. Patients were sometimes brought to Carville in shackles. Dr. L.A. Wailes was the first physician assigned to Carville. In 1896, Dr. Wailes resigned but four Sisters of Charity arrived to care for the patients. In the early 20th century, it became apparent that the United States needed a national policy for the care of Hansen's patients. Several sites were studied as possible locations for a national hospital. Among those were Kalaupapa, Hawaii, location of Father Damien's Hansen's disease colony. While the federal government dithered over where to locate the hospital, patient 306, John Ruskin Early, forced the government to act by continually escaping confinement. In 1920, the federal government bought the Lousiana Leper Home for $35,000. The video features interviews with former patients and staff, as well as James Carville, who lives in Carville. Still photographs provide a historical perspective.
Copyright:
The National Library of Medicine believes this item to be in the public domain. (More information)
Extent:
055 min.
Color:
Black and white and Color
Sound:
Sound
Credits:
Producer/writer, Anwei Skinsnes Law ; videographer/editor, M. John Kulesz, Jr. ; executive producer, John R. Trautman.
Provenance:
Received: Oct. 10, 2008; transfer; from Tanya Thomassie, National Hansen's Disease Center.
